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Slow Cooker BBQ Baby Back Ribs Recipe

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5 from 88 reviews

Tender and flavorful Slow Cooker BBQ Baby Back Ribs cooked low and slow for 5 hours in a slow cooker, then finished under the broiler for a caramelized BBQ sauce glaze. This recipe features a homemade dry rub and your favorite BBQ sauce, delivering melt-off-the-bone ribs perfect for any casual meal or weekend cookout.

Ingredients

Scale

Ribs and Rub

  • 3 to 3 ½ pounds pork baby back ribs (3.25 lbs recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 3 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cumin

BBQ Sauce

  • 2 ½ cups BBQ sauce, your favorite brand (divided into 2 cups and ½ cup portions)

Instructions

  1. Remove the membrane: Carefully peel off the opaque membrane from the underside of the ribs using a small sharp knife to improve texture and flavor. Lift a corner edge of the membrane, slide the knife underneath, and then pull it away with your fingers. Use disposable gloves for safety while handling raw meat.
  2. Prepare the rub: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, kosher salt, paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and cumin until combined.
  3. Apply the rub: Spread two-thirds of the spice rub over the meaty side of the ribs and the remaining one-third over the underside where the membrane was removed, ensuring even coverage.
  4. Prepare the slow cooker: Spray a 6 to 7-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  5. Add BBQ sauce on ribs: Use a spoon or basting brush to evenly spread 1 cup of BBQ sauce over the meaty side of the ribs.
  6. Place ribs in slow cooker: Position the ribs meaty side against the inner sides of the slow cooker, arranging them to fit properly.
  7. Coat inside ribs: Spread ½ cup of BBQ sauce over the inside of the ribs.
  8. Add sauce over top ridge: Pour ½ cup of BBQ sauce on the top ridge of the ribs, reserving the final ½ cup for broiling.
  9. Slow cook: Cover and cook on low for 5 hours until ribs are tender and fully cooked.
  10. Preheat broiler: About 15 minutes before slow cooking finishes, preheat your oven’s broiler. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil and spray with nonstick spray.
  11. Transfer ribs to baking sheet: Carefully move ribs from slow cooker to prepared baking sheet using tongs and/or spatula; ribs will be very tender and may need to be moved in sections.
  12. Baste and broil: Brush the ribs with the remaining ½ cup BBQ sauce and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely. Broil until the sauce bubbles and caramelizes but does not burn.
  13. Serve hot: Remove from oven and serve ribs immediately while the sauce is warm and sticky.

Notes

  • Removing the membrane from ribs improves tenderness and flavor absorption.
  • Use disposable gloves for handling raw meat to ensure food safety.
  • Monitor the ribs closely while broiling to avoid burning the BBQ sauce.
  • BBQ sauce division allows layers of flavor during cooking and ensures a glossy finish.
  • The slow cooker method yields very tender ribs without drying out the meat.
  • If ribs do not fit standing up in your slow cooker, you can cut into sections.

Keywords: slow cooker ribs, BBQ baby back ribs, easy ribs recipe, tender ribs, slow cooked BBQ ribs

Find it online: https://spiceupwithsophie.com/slow-cooker-bbq-baby-back-ribs-recipe/